In the lighter moments of World War II, the Spitfire was used in an unorthodox
role: bringing beer kegs to the men in Normandy.

During the war, the Heneger and Constable brewery donated free beer to
the troops. After D-Day, supplying the invasion troops in Normandy with
vital supplies was already a challenge. Obviously, there was no room in
the logistics chain for such luxuries as beer or other types of refreshments.
Some men, often called “sourcers”, were able to get wine or
other niceties “from the land” or rather from the locals.
RAF Spitfire pilots came up with an even better idea.

The Spitfire Mk IX was an evolved version of the Spitfire, with pylons
under the wings for bombs or tanks. It was discovered that the bomb pylons
could also be modified to carry beer kegs. According to pictures that
can be found, various sizes of kegs were used. Whether the kegs could
be jettisoned in case of emergency is unknown. If the Spitfire flew high
enough, the cold air at altitude would even refresh the beer, making it
ready for consumption upon arrival.

A variation of this was a long range fuel tank modified to carry beer
instead of fuel. The modification even received the official designation
Mod. XXX. Propaganda services were quick to pick up on this, which probably
explains the “official” designation.

A staged shot of the Mod. XXX tank being filled.

As a result, Spitfires equipped with Mod XXX or keg-carrying pylons were
often sent back to Great-Britain for “maintenance” or “liaison”
duties. They would then return to Normandy with full beer kegs fitted
under the wings.

The Spitfire had very little ground clearance with the larger beer
kegs.

Typically, the British Revenue of Ministry and Excise stepped in, notifying
the brewery that they were in violation of the law by exporting beer without
paying the relevant taxes. It seems that Mod. XXX was terminated then,
but various squadrons found different ways to refurbish their stocks.
Most often, this was done with the unofficial approval of higher echelons.

In his book “Dancing in the Skies”, Tony Jonsson, the only
Icelancer pilot in the RAF, recalled beer runs while he was flying with
65 Squadron. Every week a pilot was sent back to the UK to fill some cleaned-up
drop tanks with beer and return to the squadron. Jonsson hated the beer
runs as every man on the squadron would be watching you upon arrival.
Anyone who made a rough landing and dropped the tanks would be the most
hated man on the squadron for an entire week.

The Spitfire had very little ground clearance with the larger beer
kegs.

In his book “Typhoon Pilot”, Desmond Scott also recalls Typhoon
drop tanks filled with beer but regretted that it acquired a metallic
taste.

Less imaginative techniques involved stashing bottles wherever space
could be found on the aircraft, which included the ammunition boxes, luggage
compartment or even in parts of the wing, with varying results. Champagne
bottles in particular did not react well to the vibrations they were submitted
to during such bootlegging trips.

?

Do you know of other similar attempts to bring supplies to the
frontline? The author and the readers of Ghost Grey would be interested
in any anecdotes or photos of similar events. Thanks for sharing!

!

In the late 1950s I served as crew chief on F-86 Ds and Ls at
Moody AFB, Valdosta Georgia. At this time Coors beer was most sought
after, and only available in Colorado or nearby locations. This
beer would spoil readily as it wasn't pasteurized, so normal means
of shipping were out of the question for we on the east coast.

GI ingenuity kicks in. The -86 was equipped with a rocket package
that held 24 each 2.74 X 24 inch rockets. Most flights at our training
base left with empty rocket packages. Cross country flights were
common place for the instructor pilots and, strangely enough, many
were to Colorado where the rocket packages were loaded with Coors
beer. A little quick math and we see five cases per trip. The crew
chief, of course, was rewarded with a few beers to cooperate. Not
a difficult trade to make. I still haven't had a beer with such
a great taste as those original Coors. Mother's own milk.

Why didn't they bust at altitude? Must have been enough heat from
the engine to prevent freezing, but they came in real cold!

In the late 1950s I server as crew chief on F 86 Ds and Ls at Moody
AFB, Valdosta Georgia. At this time Coors beer was most sought after,
and only available in Colorado or nearby locations. This beer would
spoil readily as it wasn't pasteurized, so normal means of shipping
was out of the question for we on the east coast.

GI ingenuity kicks in. The 86 was equipped with a rocket package
that held 24 each 2.74 X 24 inch rockets. Most flights at our training
base left with empty rocket packages. Cross country flights were
common place for the instructor pilots and, strangely enough, many
were to Colorado where the rocket packages were loaded with Coors
beer. A little quick math and we see five cases per trip. The crew
chief, of course, was rewarded with a few beers to cooperate. Not
a difficult trade to make. I still haven't had a beer with such
a great taste as those original Coors. Mother's own milk.
Why didn't they bust at altitude? Must have been enough heat from
the engine to prevent freezing, but they came in real cold!